Montana Body Donation Program

Supporting the Montana WWAMI Medical Education Program at Montana State University
and Health Science Education Programs throughout Montana

The MBDP Philosophy: The Importance of Anatomical Studies in Medical and Health Professions
Education

Expert knowledge of human anatomy is essential for all who practice in the healing
arts. Doctors, nurses and physical therapists are a few examples of health professionals
who need training in human anatomy. For this purpose there is no substitute for direct
study of the human body in the anatomy laboratory.

There are clear advantages to society for our future doctors and nurses to have a
thorough understanding of anatomy. Simply put, anatomical knowledge increases patient
safety and enhances the quality of healthcare. The Montana Body Donation Program is
dedicated to accepting donations of human bodies for education in the health professions.

We at the Montana Body Donation Program are also teachers of anatomy in the WWAMI
medical curriculum, "Montana's Medical School." Our students are eager to learn and
enormously grateful to donors and their families for the opportunity to study an actual
body. Often they refer to the donated body as their "first patient" and "best teacher."

The core philosophy of the Montana Body Donation Program is that there are no substitutes
for the experience of studying the actual human body, and this study is a great privilege.
We convey this philosophy to our participating institutions, and all faculty and students
are charged with showing the highest respect for this gift of anatomical study. The
anonymity of donors is protected at all times.